Sparkle & Blush

Q&A with Seven Swans

21 February, 2013 by gaby

Guys, I’m so happy to introduce today’s third post, and a supplier who I not only like tremendously (and whose work I trust so much that I asked her to create our very own SBB logo), but one who I also admire. I get a LOT of people starting out in this industry asking me how they go about getting their name out there, and I always tell them about Anelle of Seven Swans, one of SBB’s very first collaborators. When I first heard from Anelle, she and her fiance were just moving down to the Cape and she was starting her fledgling stationery brand. She liked what I was doing, and she made contact. Directly, personally (none of these ‘dear blogger’ emails I get every day), with enthusiasm for my work and an eagerness to help wherever she could. It made me want to help her. Then she told me she was planning her wedding, and we dreamed up Real Life Bride. And I wasn’t the only new blog Anelle approached, as she also went to my lovely friends at the Pretty Blog and became one of their first DIY contributors. She is always friendly, professional and full of ideas and enthusiasm, and that came across in everything she did – talk about personal branding! The result? Seven Swans became one of the most in-demand wedding suppliers in SA, Anelle took on an employee and now shares studio space with the equally awesome welovepictures. She’s an industry success story, and I’m SO PROUD of her! And in all of that, I don’t think Anelle has done much direct advertising – everything came from social media and word of mouth. So basically I can’t think of anyone more inspiring to interview today, especially as we celebrate Sparkle & Blush, another winning SBB + Seven Swans collaboration. Welcome Anelle! :)

Hi Anelle! Thanks so much for chatting to SBB today! How did you get started in the wedding business?
While studying Information Design at the University of Pretoria, I always knew I wasn’t going to end up in corporate design or advertising, but with a nudge from my pragmatic father, my first job was in a wonderful through-the-line agency where we did everything from logo design to strategy and advertising campaigns. I learned heaps and heaps from my amazing employers but the creative world of weddings and events inspired my thoughts. When my husband-to-be got a job in the winelands, we moved down to my home town, I got myself an iMac and took the plunge. At that stage there was a tiny gap in the market for fresh, modern (young at heart) stationery. Lucky for me a few important role players loved what I loved in terms of design and gave me all the exposure I needed to actually make this home-office job a fully fledged business.Read More

21 February, 2013 by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! It’s time for Part 2 of today’s Sparkle & Blush fest. Hopefully you won’t be tired of seeing this shoot already, but I couldn’t resist doing a full post of all my favourite images (some that you won’t have seen before). That said, I’ll shut up and let you enjoy them! ;)Read More

Featured in My Wedding Day

7 September, 2012 by gaby

A while back you might remember me mentioning a shoot I was co-styling, loosely based on the Sparkle & Blush inspiration board I created last year and featuring the gorgeous matching Invitation Gallery stationery suite. Well, I am thrilled to announce that brides-to-be in South Africa can finally see the results in the brand new My Wedding Day, which should be out in shops next week! (Although you’ll have to fight my mom for a copy if you’re in Westville.) You can also read all about the amazing team of suppliers I worked with, including photographer Chanelle Segerius-Bruce and stylist Louise of b.loved Weddings, and find Louise’s top tips for recreating the look or adapting it for your own wedding. We had so much fun putting it together – I just hope you love it as much as I do!

I have to say that women’s magazines (particularly South African ones) are very close to my heart – I used to read my mom’s stack of Fair Ladys literally from cover to cover, many times over, and in fact I wonder why I went into books instead of mags (actually, I think it was because I didn’t want to write, which is ironic for a now-blogger, right?). As much as I love the online world, featuring in a South African magazine for the first time makes this little journey of mine feel more real, and I’m really quite proud and excited! Big thank you to everyone I worked with (full list below) and to the lovely Chanel over at MWD – it was a pleasure working with you and I can’t wait to see a copy!

Featured in You & Your Wedding

31 May, 2012 by gaby

That’s right, friends – I am super excited to announce that UK readers can now find a bit of SouthBound Bride goodness in the latest You & Your Wedding, which is on sale now. I can’t wait to get hold of a copy myself!

You’ll have to buy the mag to get all the details, but for now, I can tell you that you’ll find some awesome decor and fashion inspiration. Early this year, I teamed up with the amazing Chanelle Segerius-Bruce and super stylist Louise of b.loved Weddings (as well as a team of fabulous people) to take the Sparkle & Blush concept to the next level. It’s pretty, it’s glam, and it’s totally do-able. You’ll be hearing a LOT more about the shoot and South African brides will have the chance to see it soon too! In the meantime, check out this behind the scenes video exclusively on the YYW site.